Toy holder for bathtub

ABSTRACT

A holder device has a base plate with a rear face for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub or shower and a receptacle on the front of the base, sized and configured for placement of toys and bath accessories therein. Drain holes are provided in the bottom of the receptacle to prevent water accumulation, reduce mildew and promote drying of the articles placed therein. In one embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from ceramic and is installed as a permanent fixture with the surrounding wall tile, similar to a wall mounted soap dish. In another embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from a moldable material, such as a plastic composition, and is installed to an existing wall surface with an adhesive backing. In this embodiment, a bead of caulking may be applied about the edge of the base plate to seal the adhesive from contact with water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder device for a bathtub or shower and, more particularly, to a wall mounted receptacle for holding toys and other bath accessories in a bathtub or shower.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, children do not enjoy bathing in a bathtub unless they have toys to entertain themselves during an otherwise uncomfortable and annoying process. Often, toddlers and young children like to play with boats, rubber ducks and other floating toys while they soak in the tub and have their hair shampooed. When the tub is drained, the toys usually end up on the floor of the tub. A parent or older child may be next to use the bathtub or shower and find the toys scattered around the tub to be a nuisance. Accordingly, toy receptacles are desirable for gathering toys in a bathtub so that the tub has a neat appearance and is enjoyable for others to use. Receptacles for storing toys in a bathtub are also useful for allowing the toys to dry after a child's bath.

Various toy and accessory holding devices have been proposed in the past. Most of these devices are made to hang or attach to the wall of the bathtub or the plumbing fixtures. Because they are not securely fixed in place, the holders eventually become dislodged and full into the bathtub or onto the bathroom floor. Most people find this to be a nuisance and, for this reason, the holders are not used for long.

There remains a need for a toy and bath accessory holder device which is aesthetically appealing, easy to install and clean, and which remains fixed to the wall surface in a bathtub or shower so that toys and other bath accessories can be conveniently gathered and stored therein without displacing the holder device from its fixed mounted position.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for holding toys and/or bath accessories in a bathtub or shower, and wherein the device is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a wall.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is esthetically appealing and easy to clean.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is formed of ceramic or other like material for installation with bathroom tile as a permanent fixture in a bathtub or shower.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holding device which is manufactured to match surrounding bathroom wall tile in a bathtub or shower.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is manufactured of plastic or other moldable material and which is adapted to be removably, yet fixedly mounted to a wall surface, such as a tile surface, in a bathtub or shower.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is easy to install by a homeowner without the need for any special skills.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a holder device and includes a base plate with a rear face for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub or shower and a receptacle on the front of the base, sized and configured for placement of toys and bath accessories therein. Drain holes are provided in the bottom of the receptacle to eliminate water that accumulates in the receptacle, thereby reducing mildew and promoting drying of the articles placed therein. In one embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from ceramic and is installed as a permanent fixture with the surrounding wall tile, similar to a wall mounted soap dish. In another embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from a moldable material, such as a plastic composition, and is installed to an existing wall surface with an adhesive backing. In this embodiment, a bead of caulking may be applied about the edge of the base plate to seal the adhesive from contact with water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the toy and bath accessory holder device of the present invention, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the holder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the holder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the toy and bath accessory holder device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the holder device of FIGS. 1-3 mounted to a wall surface in a bathtub or shower and surrounded by tile; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the holder device, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4, mounted to the tile wall surface in a bathtub or shower using an adhesive backing material.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, a toy and accessory holder device manufactured from a ceramic or like material is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The holder device 10 includes a base plate 12 surrounded by a peripheral edge 14 and having a rear face 16 which is adapted to be mounted against a wall surface, and particularly a drywall surface with the use of a tile bonding material such as THIN SET or MASTIC. This particular embodiment is intended for installation at the time of installing tiles in a bathtub or shower, and particularly the wall tiles surrounding the tub and/or shower. As seen in FIG. 5, when installed, the front face 18 of the base plate 12 is flush with the surrounding wall tile and grout is filled about the base plate, with the edges 14 spaced from the edges of adjacent tiles, thereby providing a grout line. It is noted that the rear face 16 of the base plate 12 may be formed to include protruding ribs or other structure to promote attachment to the underlying wall surface (e.g. drywall). The front face 18 includes a portion which surrounds a receptacle integrally formed on the front face and extending outwardly therefrom. The portion of the front face 18 which surrounds the receptacle 20 defines a flange. The remaining area of the front face 18 provides an inner wall surface within the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 is formed by a wall 22 which extends out from the front face 18 to form sides 23, a front 25 and a bottom 26. The receptacle is open at the top to expose an interior chamber 24 which is sized for placement of toys, shampoo bottles, razors or other bath accessory devices therein. The bottom 26 of the receptacle 20 is provided with drain holes 28 which allows water to be effectively drained from the interior chamber 28. Accordingly, toys and other articles placed within the interior chamber of the receptacle 20 are able to drip dry while the drain holes 28 prevent water from accumulating in the bottom of the receptacle.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, a second preferred embodiment of the toy and accessory holder device is shown and generally indicated as 10 a. In this embodiment, the holder device 10 a is manufactured from plastic or another moldable material which is rigid and provides a hardened exterior surface that is easy to clean. Similar to the embodiment described above, the toy and accessory holder device 10 a includes a base plate 12 a with a surrounding edge 14 a and a rear face 16 a. A receptacle 20 a is integrally formed with the base plate 12 a and extends outwardly from a front face 18 a. The receptacle 20 a is formed by a wall 22 a which surrounds an interior chamber 24 a. Drain holes 28 a are provided in the bottom 26 a of the receptacle.

The toy and accessory holder device 10 a, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6, is adapted for quick and easy mounting to an existing wall surface, such as a tile surface in a bathtub or shower. To facilitate ease of attachment, the rear face 16 a is provided with an adhesive material 30. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive material 30 is in the form of a membrane having a strong bonding adhesive composition on both sides, similar to double sided tape. The adhesive membrane 30 is covered with a peel away protective film 32 for packaging, prior to use. At the time of installation, the film 32 is peeled from the membrane 30, as shown in FIG. 4, to expose the adhesive surface of the membrane 30. The holder device 10 a can then be positioned at the desired location on a wall surface while applying a force inwardly against the surface to cause the adhesive membrane 30 to bond against the exposed wall surface (e.g. tile surface). A bead of caulking 15 should be applied about the edge 14 a to prevent water and moisture from entering behind the base plate, which may result in deterioration of the adhesive membrane 30.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A holder device for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub comprising: a base plate including a rear face for mounting engagement with the wall surface and a front face; a receptacle integrally formed with said base plate and including a wall structure extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate, and said wall structure and said front face surrounding an interior chamber sized for holding articles which are removably placed within said interior chamber; and at least one drain opening formed in a bottom of said wall structure for draining water from said interior chamber.
 2. The holder device as recited in claim 1 wherein said wall structure includes sidewalls, a front wall and said bottom extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate and said receptacle having an open top communicating with said interior chamber for placement and removal of the articles therein.
 3. The holder device as recited in claim 2 wherein said base plate and said receptacle are integrally formed as a unitary, one piece structure.
 4. The holder device as recited in claim 3 wherein said holder device is manufactured of ceramic.
 5. The holder device as recited in claim 3 wherein said holder device is manufactured from plastic.
 6. The holder device as recited in claim 5 wherein said rear face of said base plate is provided with an adhesive material for bonding attachment to the wall surface.
 7. The holder device as recited in claim 6 wherein said adhesive material is an adhesive membrane bonded to said rear face and having an outer adhesive surface adapted for bonding engagement with the wall surface, and said outer adhesive surface of said membrane being covered with a removable protective film prior to installation.
 8. A holder device for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub comprising: a base plate including a rear face and a front face; a receptacle integrally formed with said base plate and including a wall structure extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate, and said wall structure and said front face surrounding an interior chamber sized for holding articles which are removably placed within said interior chamber; at least one drain opening formed in a bottom of said wall structure for draining water from said interior chamber; and an adhesive material on said rear face of said base plate for bonding attachment to the wall surface.
 9. The holder device as recited in claim 8 wherein said adhesive material is an adhesive membrane bonded to said rear face and having an outer adhesive surface adapted for bonding engagement with the wall surface, and said outer adhesive surface of said membrane being covered with a removable protective film prior to installation. 